L-theanine is a natural amino acid that can be found in tea. It has several health benefits, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective effects.
It can support a healthy brain, improve mental focus, and promote relaxation. It can also improve your sleep and lower your stress levels.
It’s an amino acid
L-theanine is a nonprotein amino acid (AA) that’s found in the leaves of green tea. This compound is known for its unique flavor, aroma, and many health benefits.
The ability to regulate metabolism and anticancer activity what is l-theanine good for. It also acts as an anti-stressor and an immune booster.
In addition, L-theanine is also thought to have a positive effect on mental health. It has been shown to improve mood, sleep quality, and cognitive function.
Interestingly, it also positively impacts obesity, stimulating metabolism and boosting feelings of fullness. Moreover, it can extend the time before hunger returns after eating.
However, the precise mechanism of its metabolic effects is unclear. It is believed to be metabolized in the small intestine and liver and converted into ethylamine and glutamic acid. It’s then excreted through the urine.
It’s also been shown to be a powerful hepatoprotective agent. It increases glutathione levels, preventing oxidative stress and reducing hepatic inflammation. In addition, it can help lower cholesterol levels in the blood and increase nitric oxide synthesis.
It’s found in tea
Tea is an important dietary source of the amino acid L-theanine. Because the body doesn’t produce L-theanine, it can only be sourced through food or supplements. Nevertheless, it’s one of the few amino acids that have been shown to have a wide range of beneficial effects on human health, particularly concerning the brain and emotions.
It’s been shown to uplift your mood and may help you feel less stressed and more relaxed. It is because it has a similar effect to the neurotransmitters GABA, dopamine, and serotonin, which have been shown to promote feelings of relaxation and mental focus.
Similarly, it can lower your heart rate and blood pressure. In addition, it can help reduce anxiety and increase sleep quality.
The effects of l-theanine can last up to 8 hours after you drink it. Therefore, it works best when taken regularly. For example, you can take a daily dose of 100mg, split up throughout several meals.
It’s a dietary supplement
L-theanine is an amino acid occurring naturally in green and black tea and mushrooms. It’s also available in dietary supplement form.
It increases the feel-good brain chemicals serotonin and dopamine, improving mood and promoting relaxation. It also lowers the effects of certain brain chemicals, including cortisol, which can cause stress.
Research also shows that a small amount of L-theanine may help people focus better. It works with caffeine to boost concentration and alertness.
A combination of 97 milligrams of L-theanine and 40 milligrams of caffeine was proven to help young people function better during a task in one research. They were also less tired and felt more focused overall.
Further study is needed, however, to assess how safe it is to use long-term. It’s also possible that L-theanine could interact with sedative medications, so it should be used with caution if you’re taking those drugs.
In general, the FDA classifies l-theanine as generally safe for people to take in supplement form. However, experts recommend you speak with a healthcare provider before taking it.
It’s also possible that L-theanine might protect the brain from age-related damage, such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD). But, again, it is because it prevents excessive glutamate stimulation of brain cells.
It’s good for you
L-theanine is suitable for several health benefits, including promoting relaxation, fighting stress, and improving sleep quality. It can also help you to have better mental focus and increase energy levels.
L-theanine can be found naturally in green tea, black tea, and some mushrooms, as well as in a dietary supplement form. It can be consumed in doses of 100 milligrams or more per day.
In one study, l-theanine was found to improve attention and reaction time. It also lowered omission errors and increased correct responses in an experimental working memory test.
It can also improve immune function and reduce inflammation in the body. It reduces the production of pro-inflammatory chemicals like cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and interleukin-1b. It can also inhibit the nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kB) pathway and reduce the expression of inflammatory proteins.
It is helpful for various health conditions, including Alzheimer’s disease and high blood pressure. It also has been shown to help improve nerve regeneration after injury or surgery.
You can drink L-theanine either with or without food. However, it may affect you a bit more quickly if you haven’t eaten recently.
Some people take melatonin and L-theanine to help them relax before bed. Melatonin helps you to fall asleep and sleep more deeply, while L-theanine enhances alpha brain waves that promote relaxation. It can also reduce excitatory brain chemicals that cause anxiety and stress, improving sleep quality.
